Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 600: Flashback (9)

Despite Qin Zhen’s attempt to prepare his own heart, Zhong Yun always managed to catch him by surprise again and again.

If previously he thought that Zhong Yun somehow knowing about his occupation and his means of transportation was shocking enough, then it was because he had not found Zhong Yun picking him up from work and catching him in the bar he frequently visited – just as he was about to find a random someone to release the pent-up stress from his workplace!

Zhong Yun was no longer akin to a clingy puppy; he was literally the shadow that stuck to Qin Zhen whenever he went, impossible to get rid of!

Was it possible for someone to feel numb from surprises? Because that was exactly what Qin Zhen was going through at that moment.

He had no idea how things got to this point, but eventually he found himself looking around the street in search of the young man’s familiar silhouette as soon as he walked out of Phoenix Ablaze’s back door. He found himself getting used to Zhong Yun’s incessant chatter that filled the tranquil silence of the dawn as they walked back together. He found himself forgoing his meals on purpose because he knew that Zhong Yun would never forget to bring him food.

Zhong Yun really kept his words. He had never pressed Qin Zhen for answers, but he wouldn’t stop doing these little things that had not failed to make Qin Zhen’s heart race either.

It was... terrifying, to say the least.

It was terrifying to see how naturally Zhong Yun inserted himself into his life as though he had always meant to belong there. It was terrifying to discover how easily he became accustomed to the young man’s presence. It was terrifying to imagine the loss and emptiness he would feel once Zhong Yun grew tired of him and decided that he was just not worth the effort.

Zhong Yun’s constant presence in his life – it was as terrifying as it was addicting. For the young man was the only stability amidst his ever-changing life.

Qin Zhen had never known how much he craved for security and reassurance until Zhong Yun dropped it on him with his crinkling smiles, his complaints over how Qin Zhen was working himself down to the bones, and the silent concern in his eyes whenever Qin Zhen was met with a rough night at work.

Zhong Yun’s attention felt no different than a magical elixir or an extremely potent drug, one that made him sink into the mire without him realizing.

And by the time Qin Zhen caught on, it was already too late.

He had lost. Whatever Zhong Yun had planned, whatever he was intending to do with his sweet gestures and considerate treatment, it worked wonders on Qin Zhen – this turtle who did not even realize that he had been caught in a jar, too overwhelmed by the gentle yet insistent sweep of the intoxicating waves.

He tried to suppress his emotions, convincing himself again and again that they were not meant to be together. There was a whole eleven years of age difference between them. Not to mention, they were male Betas, for God’s sake! Even if both of them were to get together, nothing would ever come to fruition and their family line would be cut off in their generation!

In spite of those valid reasons, Qin Zhen still found a small, treacherous voice whispering within him: does it matter?

It was not like they were burdened by their family or peers. Qin Zhen only had his dementia father who would forget him more often than not, whereas Zhong Yun had practically cut all ties with his family. They were akin to two people forgotten by the world, sequestered in the forsaken corner where they only had each other as a companion amid the harsh world.

Yes, societal norms might have frowned upon their union, but did it really matter, when they were just two lonely souls who sought out each other to survive?

His emotional turmoil must have been perceived by the other person, because Zhong Yun chose that exact moment to initiate his advance.

It started off slow, like entangling their fingers loosely when they were walking together. That sweet and intimate gesture had never failed to fluster him to no end, despite there being only the two of them on the deserted alley. And then, Zhong Yun gradually upped his game by touching him here and there – wrapping an arm around his shoulder to warn him about a small puddle on the road, or encircling an arm around his waist and pulling him close whenever they watched TV.

Qin Zhen could hardly cope with the monstrosity of his emotions. Come on, he was already in his thirties, and it was not like he was an innocent virgin who had not been intimate with anyone. And yet... and yet he found himself feeling flustered and awkward just like a teenager experiencing a crush for the first time!

In the end, the final straw for Qin Zhen’s dwindling sanity came when Zhong Yun tried to kiss him when they were in the middle of discussing a sci-fi book he had just purchased.

"You...!" Qin Zhen hurriedly raised both hands to block Zhong Yun’s mouth, preventing him from coming closer. He could feel his cheeks flushing, though it was unsure whether it was due to anger or fluster. "Why do you keep—"

It was not the first time Zhong Yun had ever stolen a kiss from him. Since his grand confession, he had been sneakily attempting it whenever he got the chance. However, those kisses were no more than pecks on Qin Zhen’s forehead, the corner of his eyes, and cheeks. While it had thrown him off balance at first, he gradually found himself getting a bit used to it, as it felt no different than the sting of an ant bite.

But now?

It was different; Qin Zhen could feel it down to each molecule in his body. There was something different about the heated and earnest gaze Zhong Yun was leveling him with right now, and it reminded him abruptly of the night when Zhong Yun bared his heart to him. It felt like the man was going to do something else that was a big deal to him, something that was no less earth-shattering than a confession.

And it made Qin Zhen afraid. He subconsciously wanted to stop Zhong Yun from doing or saying anything he’d planned. It was because he, much to his chagrin, had gotten far too comfortable with their status quo.

Alas, it was apparent that Zhong Yun begged to differ. He should have known that the man was greedy – greedy of him, greedy of what he could take from him – if his recent actions and behaviors were any indication.

Zhong Yun gently yet firmly pulled his wrists down, his grasp scalding hot. His dark eyes were pinned on Qin Zhen, taking in every minute shift of his expressions down to the very last detail.

"Until when are you going to avoid me, Qin Zhen?" he asked in a low voice, causing Qin Zhen’s heart to skip a beat.